Main Point: AJR wrote a song to capture the reality of addictions and our own weaknesses when it comes to fighting these things we struggle to be free from. The response in the song is to say “hey, I’m weak, so what’s wrong with that?” While we can identify with being weak, should we just accept this? Should we continue to do the things we would say we are weak against?

The Music Video: Weak

Manhattan natives and brothers, Adam, Jack, and Ryan Met formed AJR when they were all between the ages of nine and fifteen. Their first album Living Room was released on 2015, reaching number twenty on the United States Top Heetseekers chart, which highlights new and developing musical recording artists. In June of 2017, the brothers released their second album The Click which features our focused song Weak. Weak shot up the charts and their YouTube video for this song has over 27 million views. Citing the bands Fun and Twenty One Pilots as influences, AJR aimed for quirky, sometimes dark, insightful lyrics set to a really anthemic beat. Still considered new on the music scene, the brothers wanted to create a song that could be the next evolution of the party anthem.

PASS OUT TO EVERY STUDENT

Song Lyrics: Almost Like Praying

"No thank you" is what I should've said, I should be in bed
But temptations of trouble on my tongue, troubles yet to come

One sip, bad for me
One hit, bad for me
One kiss, bad for me
But I give in so easily
And no thank you is how it should've gone
I should stay strong

But I'm weak, and what's wrong with that?
Boy, oh boy I love it when I fall for that
I'm weak, and what's wrong with that?
Boy, oh boy I love it when I fall for that
I'm weak

But I'm weak, and what's wrong with that?
Boy, oh boy I love it when I fall for that
(Boy, oh boy I love it when I fall for that)

No thank you
They call me after dark, I don't want no part
My habits, they hold me like a grudge
I promise I won't budge

One sip, bad for me
One hit, bad for me
One kiss, bad for me
But I give in so easily
And no thank you is how it should've gone
I should stay strong

But I'm weak, and what's wrong with that?
Boy, oh boy I love it when I fall for that
I'm weak, and what's wrong with that?
Boy, oh boy I love it when I fall for that
I'm weak

But I'm weak, and what's wrong with that?
Boy, oh boy I love it when I fall for that

We, we fall for that
Wake up, we fall again

We, we fall for that
Can't wait to fall again

One sip, bad for me
One hit, bad for me
One kiss, bad for me
But I give in so easily
And no thank you is how it should've gone
I should stay strong

But I'm weak, and what's wrong with that?
Boy, oh boy I love it when I fall for that
I'm weak, and what's wrong with that?
Boy, oh boy I love it when I fall for that
I'm weak
Go!
But I'm weak, and what's wrong with that?
Boy, oh boy I love it when I fall for that

Transitional Statement:If we are being real, we all have things that we would describe as weaknesses. Maybe it’s something such as procrastination, laziness, overeating, or a lack of patience with others. Perhaps it’s something more severe such as a relationship, destructive habit, or substance. Each of us recognizes the presence of things in our lives that we would acknowledge are bad for us. We are weak, and what’s wrong with that? Well let’s ask ourselves if there is something better, something worth overcoming these weaknesses for. What if we actually had everything we needed to overcome the things that so often call the shots in our lives?

Let’s talk about this a bit and then look and see what God’s Word says on the subject.

Divide into Small Groups:Let’s go ahead and split up into our discussion groups, and then afterward we’ll come back together for a final word.

CLICK HERE for a quick training article on how to maximize your small groups using our small group format—a great resource to equip your small group leaders.

Discussion Questions:

ASK A FEW: Asking those who have siblings, can you imagine forming a band with your brothers or sisters? What kind of music would you do? Why would it work or not work out?

ASK A FEW: The youngest of the AJR brothers (Jack) was eight years old when they started performing. What sorts of things did you do for fun when you were eight?

AROUND THE CIRCLE: When you hear this song, what are some areas that immediately come to mind where you would consider yourself weak?

ASK A FEW: Is it hard for people to admit weakness? Why or why not?

ASK A FEW: We all willingly choose things that we know are bad for us. Why do you think we do this?

Read the following passage:

1 Corinthians 6:12

I have the right to do anything, you say - but not everything is beneficial. I have the right to do anything, but I will not be mastered by anything.

ASK A FEW: Looking at this verse, what do you think Paul (the author of 1 Corinthians) means when he says he has the right to do anything?

ASK A FEW: What do you think he means when he says not everything is beneficial?

AROUND THE CIRCLE: What are some things in your life that you would admit you do but really are not beneficial?

ASK A FEW: What is the difference between Paul’s statement I will not be mastered by anything and the AJR lyric but I'm weak, and what's wrong with that?

ASK A FEW: If you are a follower of Jesus, the freedom He gives through His death on the cross enabled you to live in freedom. Jesus says in John 8:36, so if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed. What do you think it means to live in freedom?

ASK A FEW: How should followers of Jesus view weakness in light of what Paul is saying in this verse?

Wrap Up:During this time, we listened to AJR sing about weakness. They sincerely ask the question of what’s wrong with being weak? The brothers are quoted in an interview as saying;

[It’s] good to inspire people, but sometimes that can get to be a little bit of an unrealistic expectation to set for all of society to be constantly confident and strong. And we thought, how cool would it be for everybody to shout together that they’re weak?

While we can relate to our weakness, as followers of Jesus, we are free to not be mastered by things. We do not have to allow any substance, habit, or behavior to control us. In 2 Corinthians 12:10, Paul writes:

For Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

We can find strength when we trust in a God who has overcome weakness. Jesus knew this in John 16:33 when He said:

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Do you believe that Jesus has set you free from having to stay weak? Do you trust Him that as the overcomer of the world, He can give you strength?

(Pause and give them a moment to consider this question.)

We often end up feeling guilty when we give in to our weakness, but Jesus tells us we are set free from guilt and shame. What would it look like for you to believe Him and decide to depend on His strength when it comes to your weakness?

(Pause and give them a moment to consider this question.)

Let’s admit that we are weak, and in that weakness, decide that we will not let our weaknesses win out. Jesus has promised us strength when we are weak and has said we can take heart as He has overcome this world. Let’s end our time praying for each other, asking God to give us a new and hopeful attitude when it comes to weakness.